Tri Talk Tuesday: The Bike

I fondly remember learning to ride my banana seat as a kid. It was beautiful with streamers on the handle bars. We lived in a neighborhood where bike riding was the norm. We rode bikes as a family–even had a baby seat of the back of my mom’s bike so I could join in the fun before I knew how to ride my own bike. But somewhere along the way I grew up and traded by bike for a car and bike riding became a thing of the past…until I decided to do my first triathlon.

I think because of my early years on a bike I have taken to the bike pretty naturally. I’m not fast by anyone’s standards, especially post surgery, but I really do enjoy a nice bike ride. Don’t get me wrong, my legs are definitely ready to unclip when it’s over, but I try as much as possible to enjoy the journey between the start and finish.

Many folks I’ve run into tolerate the bike to get to the run and it almost hurts my heart to hear it because it’s the longest part of triathlon and needs to be a large part of your training focus. So I’ve come up with the following tips for others to try and enjoy the bike as well. Let me know what you thing about them.

1) ride with friends–find some people to ride with instead of riding alone. I know that a lot of people try to fit riding in when they can because of other life demands and therefore often ride alone, but riding with friends is so much more fun. If you don’t have other friends who ride, join a bike or tri club and show up to their group rides. You can also ask at the local bike shops about group rides. In my town, we have everything from no drop beginner rides that average 10-12 mph to training races where they get in the high 20s plus and everything in between.

2) have something to look forward to afterwards–for a while a group of us would go eat on a certain night after a ride. It was great to continue the comradarrie of the ride into a meal. Many stories were shared and memories made as well as plans for the next time. As I have mentioned before, one year a friend and I happened upon a ride that ended with wine and watching the sunset. While we certainly enjoyed it at the time, I like the idea even more now because it celebrates the accomplishment right then and there for what it is. But maybe for you it’s a snuggle with your kiddos or putting money on a jar for more gear or a destination race that is your something to look forward to.

3) get a proper bike fit–just because you bought the bike that supposedly fits someone with your demensions does not mean you will automatically be one with the bike, you need to get fit on your bike from a professional bike fitter. You may be thinking I just dropped a chunk of change on my bike and now you are saying I have to drop more to be comfortable…well, yes but here’s the thing you want to be as comfortable and efficient as possible of the bike and a fitter is going to help make that happen. In addition, some stand by their fit so much they give you a lifetime guarantee so you pay once and go back until you get it right. I like to visit mine once a year just to make sure everything is dialed in just right.

4) treat your private parts right–it has to be said because we often dance around this issue but so much of the discomfort of riding is “down there”. So find yourself a great pair of riding shorts (and when you find your fav buy more than one!). Use shammy cream–lots to choose from including gender specific options. Experiment with different “landscaping” options as sometimes the culprit of pain can be an ingrown hair. Let’s the area breathe between rides with some cotton clothing and time off from other adventures if needed. This point come purely from the female perspective, but I have heard guys talk about similar things.

5) enjoy the journey–let your ride be about more than the workout. Of course get your workout done and celebrate that, but take the time to look around and enjoy that as well. Where we often ride there are lots of options for wildlife encounters from cows to llamas to peacocks and hawks. There was even an eagle nesting (a rarity around here) along the road earlier in the year. I love looking at the houses along the way as well and taking in the small town feel of these places that we ride. I always see these picturesque Louisiana landscapes on my bike rides from the old abandoned corner store to the boats along the Mississippi River. We see things on a bike that others only see in movies.

I hope these tips help you in some way if you are struggling to enjoy riding the bike. Do you have others to add to the list?

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6 thoughts on “Tri Talk Tuesday: The Bike”

Nice – I’m a bike lover so I really can’t identify with finishing the bike just to get to the run. However, your suggestions are good for those trying to get their #bikelove going. I love the bike photos!! Did you keep your road bike when you added the TT to the stable? I have a new TT bike this year, too. I have named him Javier (Orbea is Spanish bike, Javier Gomez is Spanish triathlete) and he will debut in a race April 26 in a sprint aquabike (essentially a time trial to help me dial in pacing).

Thanks, Kelli. I did keep my road bike but she hangs out at home on the trainer most of the time. It’s nice to not have to swap out the bikes. I hope Javier is good to you–I have heard great things about Orbeas.

OMG I LOVE your Captain America bike! You hit the nail on the head with proper bike fit as well as taking care of your “nether regions”, especially for female cyclists. A saddle that is suited to your build is also an important piece of the comfort puzzle. I just wrote about that last week actually. It took me a while to find a saddle that “fit” me but when I did, it made all the difference in the world!

Great tips! I didn’t know there where people who “suffered” through the bike leg! I have to admit it’s my favorite leg, and my hubby and I met on a collegiate cycling team so maybe our family is a little bias 😉 I love that you highlighted getting your bike fit, this is important not only for comfort but for injury prevention! I know there are actual physical therapist who do bike fittings and major insurance carriers who will actually pay for this time of bike fitting, you just pay your copay!

For me I think a huge part of the enjoyment is riding somewhere fun. My favorite was the canyons in UT but here in the northwest the bike trails and rides around the lakes are very beautiful as well.

I’m a newbie so love reading your tips. Riding with a group is definitely the way to go and always such fun. I have an awesome group of ladies to ride with and am considering trying some other group rides too with our local bike shop.